Congo secured a historic place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time after rallying to a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta. The African nation, appearing in the tournament for only the second time after a 52-year absence, came from behind with two second-half goals from Yoane Wissa and one from Fiston Mayele.
Match Overview
Uzbekistan took an early lead in the 10th minute when Eldor Shomurodov scored with a lobbed goal, putting Congo's hopes in jeopardy. However, Sebastien Desabre's team, which had previously held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening match, mounted a strong comeback after halftime.
Congo equalized in the 68th minute when Wissa was fouled by Abdukodir Khusanov in the penalty area, earning a penalty kick. Wissa converted by sending goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov the wrong way, rolling the ball into the bottom corner.
Second-Half Surge
Ten minutes later, Mayele put Congo ahead, flicking the ball past Nematov at the near post after a deflected shot from Meschack Elia. Wissa sealed the win in added time with a curling shot into the bottom corner, completing a dramatic turnaround.
The victory saw Congo join Cape Verde as surprise qualifiers for the round of 32, highlighting the growing competitiveness of African football on the global stage.
Historical Context
This marks Congo's first appearance in the knockout stage of the World Cup, a significant achievement for the team and the nation. Their previous World Cup appearance was in 1974, making this a momentous occasion for Congolese football.
